Baptism by Fire

[Longshot]

< He hadn't known how long he had held onto Ava for. All he knew was that reality soon turned back on at the arrival of the woman in silver carrying a man in her arms. He looked up at her with a world full of question and terror in his eyes. >

"I..I don't know what happened...I don't..know.."

< Simon was having trouble even forming sentences, his mind was just too chaotic. The scene was too grizzly. The woman's silver eyes looked him up and down. >

Sharon: "KATIE! WHERE IS KATIE!?"

< He swallowed hard. >

"It..it wasn't safe in the car. I hid her..she's..."

< Simon pointed in the direction of where Katie was located and he slowly left his grasp from Ava and got to his feet. He looked around them as another woman seemed to be soothing the children that had survived and Simon was relieved when he saw Katie in Silver Swan's arms..but he was still stunned from his situation as she was handed over to Rose as well. He looked at Zach. >

"Did..who..who wants to kill kids?"

< Suddenly a voice filled his head. A familiar one. Haleigh Davidoff. She was requesting a status update on the situation. >

"Our status is we just watched dozens of kids BURN in front of us."

< Still shaken he watched as Sharon answers. 41 children have been killed. Haleigh gave them instructions to meet at Charope Inc. Simon and Sharon were the only ones alive and well enough to do any talking. >

"I--could..I could only save one of them. I trie--but the fire...there was another explosion. I saved one of them."

< A nearby car powered on thanks to Haleigh as Sharon began to gather things to head to Charope. Simon grabbed her arm softly for a moment and he looked at her..his eyes like a deer in headlights. >

"I am going with you...I'm a friend of The Six. I'm friends with...."

< He looked at Ava for a moment and then back to Sharon. >

"I'll grab her. Just tell me where to go..I'll go."

 

[Persephone]

Feeling Simon's arms wrap around her, Ava didn't fight it as he tried to comfort her. She didn't have the strength to pull away, or the will to. Her head was on fire--throbbing like her heart was beating inside her skull. Her body was completely weak from the use of her powers. She sat here, hunched over in a ball, her face still buried in her hands. She had stopped sobbing at this point--in fact she was eerily still and silent. It wasn't until she heard Sharon and Zach's voice that made her body jolt just slightly with relief.

They're alive...

Ava began to sit up slowly, her damp hair shielding most of her face. She heard Simon, Sharon, and Zach's voices, but she didn't hear what they were saying. It was all muffled...all white noise...as her eyes fell upon the completely decimated bus that lie before her. The flames were nearly gone now, but the smell of burnt flesh still filled the air. They were all dead...all of them except for five. Infants...toddlers...all burned alive. Their screams echoed in Ava's mind as her bloodshot eyes spotted a small body laying next to the bus, completely burnt beyond recognition. She did nothing to help them. NOTHING. She HURT them by hurting Sharon. She took away their only chance at survival.

Ava sat motionless and unresponsive, however she did hear Haleigh's voice ask for a status report.....and then she heard that Cameron had finally been taken. Shutting her eyes slowly, everything Alison said would happen had happened. Cass was gone, Cameron was gone, the children were gone.....Ava slowly felt herself disappearing as well.

No. Cameron needs you. If he means anything to you, you'll move. STAND UP and MOVE.

Simon: "I am going with you...I'm a friend of The Six. I'm friends with....I'll grab her. Just tell me where to go..I'll go."

Getting to her feet was harder than expected. Her body was completely drained of energy, and the only thing keeping her from passing out was her own stubbornness. Feeling Simon try to help her as she moved, Ava pulled her arm away and began to slowly walk towards the car without saying a word.

I will KILL every last one of them....

 

[Isis]

:: Isis was about to ATTACK Ashley and take her leave of the station by FORCE, but suddenly....::

Detective Oldenburg, step out.”


He was perfectly calm as he said it. He was not unaware of the precarious situation he had stepped into, or of the highly unusual thing happening inside the room. But he had been a cop for a long time, and a mutant even longer. After Ashley left the room, he turned his full attention on Dominique.


“Ms. Devereaux, hello, my name is John Steele, I’m the senior investigator on this case. May I?”


He gestured to one of the chairs.


“Would you like some coffee? Or tea?”


He smiled and sat down.


“Tea with lemon, if I recall – good for the voice.”


He took a sip from the coffee mug, holding it in both hands.


“Wow – that’s hot.”

:: Isis was still standing, still poised to ATTACK, but the howling desert storm winds and dusting, flowing sands began to subside quickly and she powered down her magicks. Truthfully? she was at a loss and she stared at John in astonishment with her mouth agape::


THIS IS OUTRAGEOUS!


:: Dominique BELLOWED!::


How DARE you present yourself to me as if we're old acquaintances when that horrid BEAST of a detective just ATTACKED ME using some sort of POWER!


:: She leaned forward, placing her hands down on the table::


And DON'T insult my intelligence, Detective. You know what she's capable of, and that's probably why you sent that rampaging PIT BULL to find and bring me to this place.


I do NOT suffer assaults on my person lightly, Detective, and she WILL be made to regret what she's done and if you intend to sanction her actions, so will YOU.

He took one hand off of the mug and flexed it as if it had been too hot to touch. The hand seemed to melt into a silver color, then back again to flesh. He held Dominique’s gaze as he spoke quietly but pointedly.

:: Dominique narrowed her aqua blue eyes as she SAW that brief, subtle but NO LESS REAL evidence that THIS detective was something more than he seemed::


HE's not a mere mortal EITHER!

“We all want the same things, Ms. Devereaux.”

:: Exhaling with an incredulous laugh::


I HIGHLY doubt THAT, Detective.

He set the mug down on the table.


“Sometimes…things happen. We get caught up in doing what we think is right, without really thinking about the consequences of our actions. I get that.”

:: Dominique's eyes FLASHED with indignation::


DON'T PATRONIZE ME, Detective. I was not born yesterday.


First that boorish WENCH tries to intimidate and SCARE me , now YOU want to make me feel like I can trust you? THAT was YOUR UNDERLING you sent after me.

You and she are on one accord, you're merely presenting HER tired little game in another way.

He splayed his hands in front of him.



“I just want to help those two missing kids. So if you know anything about where they might be, please [with more emphasis] PLEASE, help me out. Tell me what happened.”

Why don't you look around your city, Detective. There are ALOT MORE "missing children" NOW and YOU are looking in the WRONG DIRECTION if you think I am responsible for ANY of it.


:: She exhales slowly and pulls the chair away from the table, sitting down, crossing her legs at the knee and folding her arms as she looks directly into Steele's eyes.::



It's unfortunate, a man of your stature and clearly possessing a strong mana, wasting your time and potential in a place like this...sullying yourself by associating with that common TRASH [Ashley].


Let this be a lesson to you. When you seek knowledge and favor from a QUEEN, do NOT send a PAWN to do a KING'S work.


:: That was it. She was done with all this MESS at the PD. The next words she'd be saying to them were 'GOOD BYE!'::


I can't help you.

 

[Silver Swan]

[ Sharon lightly regarded Simon in their initial interactions, mainly because there were more pressing matters requiring her attention, BUT as it became clear that Rose could keep the Surviving children safe while Clandestine Inc closed in to do as much damage control as they could now, Sharon became more aware of his voice, his internal rhythms. If Ava was in a state of SHOCK, Simon was definitely NOT too far behind her. He was trying to understand who would do this...and WHY but even SHE was not prepared for the lengths to which the Purifiers would go!]

[Sonic SHOUTING at him to rattle him or get his attention was out of the question, but she wanted him to try to remain calm because right now? He was the only truly able-bodied person BESIDE HER and they needed to get Zach and Ava back to Charope Inc]

[As she prepared to carry Zachary, Simon reached out and touched her armoured arm without hesitation. She looked down at his hand, and then into his eyes. He was BRIMMING with emotion, his heart beat was erratic, his BREATHING pattern was so irregular he was, at times, almost "FORGETTING" to take regular breaths, and yet, he was conscious, reasonably coherent and VITAL. She needed him as long as he could last]

[He wished to remain with Ava, informing Sharon that he was a FRIEND of her's. Nothing about him or his internal rhythms suggested he was lying]

Simon...I'm Sharon Kelly, also known as the Silver Swan.

I am a long time friend, ally and one-time member of Perspeh....AVA's close knit group of friends.

If you're a friend of her's, at the moment, I'm willing to accept that and trust you.

I need your help.

[Simon was already seeing to Ava and together, they carefully carried their fallen away from the scene of a NIGHTMARE.]


Thank you for your help tonight. Whether you think it was enough or not...you did SOMETHING in the face of a growing EVIL and that is more than can be said for most in this awful city.

I know you're not a normal base-line human.

You wanted to know WHY this happened?

Bad people...with UGLY hearts, believing that they're called by god, are attacking mutants across the city. murdering them, killing families, orphaning children...and now...killing the orphans.


[ They eventually reach Charope, Inc and once inside...]

Ana-Leigh, Alycia has told me this building has different security levels. Please go to HIGH alert. Contact Arsenal and Shadow Weaver. If Arsenal can spare her, we'll NEED Shadow Weaver to come here immediately to help with the wounded.

We're expecting another group, who Alycia is with, to be arriving shortly.

[Ana-Leigh advises Sharon of the INFIRMARY unit below ground. Sharon and Simon immediately carry their fallen down to the infirmary to get them safely placed on the medical beds. Once they arrive,Sharon, whose silver eye mask is still in place is actually SURPRISED to see]

VIVICA LENNOX!?

[ The mutate stops for a moment, eyeing Vivica as she carefully lays Zachary down on the medical bed. She spots Firebird laying on a bed as well, unconscious]

You were with the others.


Are you injured??


[ She asked as she looked at Blaze once more.as she directed Simon which bed to lay Ava on. She surveyed the Infirmary]

It is large enough to accomodate a dozen wounded or in need of care and it is well stocked and equipped with the best technology money can buy.

We will need TIME to....

[ Surprisingly she FALTERS and groans a bit. Her silver eye mask RECEDES away from the eye area of her face and she can be seen shutting her eyes tightly, frowning]

 

[Black Widow]

Just when they thought they were turning the tide in their favor, a new portal opened and out stretched an arm that Haleigh was horrified to recognize as Nimrod. A series of varying attacks bombard them. Haleigh disables her own hearing during the sonic attacks, but is blasted back by a shockwave. She rolled onto her side, watching grimly as Cameron desperately clings to the here and now, but is pulled through the portal by the purifiers.

Be strong now, Stud.

They needed to get off the street before they ended up on the news. Vivica, thanks to her field training, was quick thinking and already starting the recovery process. Haleigh had not missed Vivica's attempt to abandon them in favor of rescuing the OTHER group, but now was not the time to discuss it. Vivica mentioned Zach being hurt, and a secondary explosion at the other group's location, and Haleigh linked in to his battle suit. His vitals weren't exactly good, but he was alive.

"Orion, I need a sitrep."

There was no response. Was he conscious?

"Orion, please respond, I need an update on your status."

Sharon: Zach is hurt, Ava is in a state of shock and that 41 children are dead, with only 5 survivors and their care giver.

"Silver Swan! We were enroute to meet you, but we've been hit hard and won't make it to your location. Cameron has been captured, Blaze and Alycia are incapacitated. We are only a block away from Alycia's office, rendezvous with us there. (She activates a vehicle for them) Get Zach and my sister into that sedan. You must leave the scene BEFORE anyone else arrives."

Vivica grabbed Blaze and took off running. Haleigh sent out a command for the medical team and ushered Nicolas(carrying Alycia) through a back alley shortcut to Charope. They arrived and were immediately directed to the infirmary.

Once they were all gathered, Haleigh glanced at each of them in turn. They were all in bad shape, physically and psychologically.

She still had the picture of the bus bomb site in her heads up display, and now she took the time to delete it from her memory. She didn't need the visual anymore.

"Okay. That was rough, but we need to bounce back. Cameron and Cass are depending on it. I've been tracking the manufacturer of the nano bot. Once we've all been patched up, I'll bring you all up to speed. It's probably a good idea to rehydrate and eat while we CAN, we'll need the calories. I'll have Alycia's assistant make arrangements. How does Chinese food sound?"

 

[Longshot]

< He stared at the woman in Silver desperately. He just needed instructions. He needed to be told what to do because right now he couldn't do much on his own. Simon needed her to just...help him. >

Silver Swan: "Simon...I'm Sharon Kelly, also known as the Silver Swan. I am a long time friend, ally and one-time member of Perseph...AVA's close knit group of friends. I need your help."

< Simon nodded. There was so much he wanted to say. He actually recognized Sharon from her political career and had Sharon dug a little deeper she would have realized that on many occassions she had come into contact with his family. His very wealthy family who had a history of funding anti-mutant politics. To be here now in her very breathing space would be betraying his parents. But in this moment, Simon realized that the very money his family had funded into right wing fanatics had probably allowed whoever the people responsible for THIS..to happen. They would probably celebrate. But Simon was here...and he had seen something that would forever be a part of psyche. Every decision and every nightmare he had would be colored by the faces of innocent children burning into nothing. >

< He gathered Ava along and began to help her walk as Sharon did the same for Zach. >

Sharon: "Thank you for your help tonight. Whether you think it was enough or not...you did SOMETHING in the face of a growing EVIL and that is more than can be said for most in this awful city."

< Simon's face remain planted on the pavement watching his feet move one in front of the other as his mind raced with so much thought and emotion that it took every conscious effort in his body to move forward. To keep trying to get to safety. >

"I...I left Katie in a dumpster. I'm sorry. I'm--I was trying..to keep. trying to keep her safe, Sharon."

< Suprisingly, Sharon's voice was helping him center himself in reality. She was keeping him grounding and actually calming his mind. Slowly but surely he was starting to get a better hold of his own mind. >

Sharon: "I know you're not a normal base-line human. You wanted to know WHY this happened?
Bad people...with UGLY hearts, believing that they're called by god, are attacking mutants across the city. murdering them, killing families, orphaning children...and now...killing the orphans."

"They...they were kids..Sharon..they were KIDS. Innocent children."

< No matter how many times he said it his mind wouldn't allow him to comprehend it. He was witnessed something so gruesome that his own body wouldn't let him go back to it..experience it. The only thing he knew was that he was angry...and sad and confused. None of these were things that Simon Pratt had ever had to deal with before. He was a golden boy. He was young and reckless and fun. He didn't engage in feelings like this. >

"I..somebody needs to stop them."

< They soon arrived to Charope Inc. as Sharon interacted with a woman that Simon couldn't remember if his life depended on it. He waited in silence watching the seconds hand on the clock on the wall click with painful resonance. >

Sharon: "Ana-Leigh, Alycia has told me this building has different security levels. Please go to HIGH alert. Contact Arsenal and Shadow Weaver. If Arsenal can spare her, we'll NEED Shadow Weaver to come here immediately to help with the wounded. We're expecting another group, who Alycia is with, to be arriving shortly."

< The woman led them to an Infirmary Unit downstairs of the building. When they got there..it looked like there was somebody else already. It was Vivica and Blaze. He had never been more happy to see somebody that made sense in his life. Vivica Lennox. >

Sharon: "VIVICA LENNOX!?"

< Sharon seemed more surprised than anything. >

Sharon:"You were with the others. Are you hurt?"

< Silently Sharon directed Simon where to place Ava. He complied readily as he laid Ava down on the table. She was conscious but weak and exhausted. He stared at her for a few seconds, his mind trying to make the connection that she was okay, but his body being PHYSICALLY ready for the next bomb to explode. >

Sharon: "It is large enough to accomodate a dozen wounded or in need of care and it is well stocked and equipped with the best technology money can buy. We will need TIME to...."

< Suddenly Sharon stopped talking as her eye masks recedes into her face as she shuts her eyes and groans. The hairs on Simon's neck stood upright as he watched in silent terror. >

"She's sick! She's gonna die...she's gonna die like those kids."

< His mind would not let him move. >

 

[Recall]

:: Vivica sat there staring at Blaze's unconscious body on the medical table in silence. Blaze was a beautiful woman. She was fiery and stood up for what she believed in but more than that she knew how to have fun. She brought people together by way of her salacious antics and you could always count on her for a laugh. She had been knocked unconscious because she was trying to fight for Cameron while Vivica was running from him. The feeling wasn't a good one. It was confused and deeply profound for the mutant. For a moment, she had allowed herself to get lost in the orbit of The Six...again. She was fighting along side them. She was fighting a battle that they knew they weren't going to win and when Oracle came on the comm device telling her that Zach was injured...it dawned on her. ::

"The Six has always been Cameron's destiny...but it ISN'T yours..."

:: She knew that...had believed that for quite some time. Then why was it hitting her so hard. In that moment she made a decision that meant Cameron wasn't the center of her universe anymore. And she didn't feel entirely bad about her choice. ::

"Your screwed in the head, Viv. Your oldest friend in the world just got kidnapped...and you ran in the other direction..."

:: Recall knew that she was only torturing herself because of the love she had for Cameron. But in the grand scheme of things, as much as she loved Cameron and as much as she had done for him, when push came to shove, he wasn' there for HER when she needed it. And once she had accepted that in her mind as neither good nor bad but rather reality...it made it pretty damn easy to run the opposite direction towards an actual future. Regardless, she loved Cameron and was worried sick. ::

"I could really use some kind of obnoxious Blaze style pep talk right about now..."

:: She smirked warmly as she gazed upon Blaze's face. ::

"Actually..I'd just like for you to wake up."

:: The door to the infirmary opened. ::

Sharon: "VIVICA LENNOX!?"

:: Vivica's eyes widened for a second. ::

"..Sharon Kelly."

"With Simon?"

[pausing]

"..it's been a long time."

:: A very long time. The last time Vivica had seen Sharon Kelly it had been at The Parthenon Gala to celebrate it's opening..over what seemed a lifetime ago. And of course in the newspapers as the vengeful "Silver Swan"...still to see the almost predatorial type..."animal" in front of her was astounding to say the least. ::

Sharon: "You were with the others. Are you injured."

:: Vivica set about getting basic medical supplies like bandages and sterilizing liquids. ::

"Mostly superficial. I'm fine. Here...let's start up some IV's..get some liquids into them..."

:: She got a few IV packs out from one of the many cabinets. ::

Sharon: "It is large enough to accomodate a dozen wounded or in need of care and it is well stocked and equipped with the best technology money can buy. We will need TIME to...."

:: The second that Sharon stopped speaking, Vivica looked up and watch the woman who was very obviously in pain. Taking a moment, Vivica visually analyzed her symptoms, before searching through the drawers, quickly finding a can with an inhaler attachment. She looked at Simon who just seemed...so lost. She spoke to him. ::

"Simon...she's okay. You're okay...as okay as you can be. Right now, I just need you to sit..the others will be here soon."

She walked over to Sharon and fixed the inhaler attachment over her nose and unscrewed the compressor on the can. ::

"You've inhaled quite a bit of smoke...this is pure oxygen. Just breathe deeply..."

:: Looking up and down at Silver Swan, stopping at her head. ::

"And you took a hell of a hit to the head..It's bruised..which from what I've heard about you is a rare occurence. Grab a stool and take a seat...try and stay focus and let me know if you get dizzy."

:: Even though this woman had been a RIGHT HAND to Alycia during her campaign to bring down Cameron King, from what Vivica had gathered while listening to Sharon's report on Haleigh comm device..the woman had been through enough..which really was the story of her life. None of that mattered now. Sharon had done the best that she could and she had helped a good friend of hers, Simon, as well. ::

:: At that moment, Haleigh and the rest of the group began to slowly enter the Infirmary. Haleigh seemed to be in overdrive. ::

Haleigh: "Okay. That was rough, but we need to bounce back. Cameron and Cass are depending on it. I've been tracking the manufacturer of the nano bot. Once we've all been patched up, I'll bring you all up to speed. It's probably a good idea to rehydrate and eat while we CAN, we'll need the calories. I'll have Alycia's assistant make arrangements. How does Chinese food sound?"

:: Vivica nodded. ::

"I'd prefer "Purifier on a Platter" but I guess so Mush Shoo Pork will have to do."

 

[Persephone]

The car ride was short and soon everyone was in Charope Inc and escorted to the infirmary. Vivica and Blaze were there....Blaze unconscious and laying on a medical bed being worked on by doctors. This night was getting worse and worse by the minute. Simon proceeded to walk Ava over to a medical bed as well and helped her in. Rolling her eyes shut, she didn't WANT to lay down. She wanted to LEAVE. Despite being outside for the past 20 minutes, she needed air....air that didn't stink of burnt flesh and oil. Air that wasn't clouded by soot and smoke.

Sitting on the bed, a doctor came over and began to take Ava's vitals. They were erratic to say the least--completely off the charts. But on the outside, Ava was like stone. Her face emotionless and her eyes dull. She was weak and tired, but she knew nothing the doctors would do could help her.

She heard Vivica and Sharon talking, then suddenly Sharon stopped. Ava looked over at the blonde seeing her waiver. Vivica steadied her and helped her with an O2 mask before doing the same to a stunned Simon. Ava felt horrible that she drug him into this mess...he didn't deserve to see that. He didn't deserve the weight of this tragedy. Simon sat down on the edge of her bed as Vivica tried to reassure him that Sharon was going to be alright, and that she just suffered a bad hit to the head. Ava would have scoffed if she had the energy too...the irony of it all. Silver Swan being taken down by Persephone.

Soon Haleigh and the others arrived. Alycia was badly hurt as well--Nicolas carrying her over to a bed. That's when she spotted Zach staring at her as the doctors healed his broken arm. She knew he could feel everything that had happened out on the field. She knew he could feel everything she was feeling NOW. She could see it in his eyes that he was furious with her in no uncertain terms.

 

[Steel]

19th Precinct

THIS IS OUTRAGEOUS! How DARE you present yourself to me as if we're old acquaintances when that horrid BEAST of a detective just ATTACKED ME using some sort of POWER!

He picked the manila folder up off the table and casually looked at the first page before setting it back down in front of him. It wasn’t the first time a perp got entitled with him, and he was sure, it would not be the last.

“That’s probably the nicest way anyone’s ever referred to Detective Oldenburg.”

He made a circular motion in the air with his index finger.

“And it seemed to me like you were using some sort of power yourself just there. Very useful if you were trying to…do some sandblasting.”

And DON'T insult my intelligence, Detective. You know what she's capable of, and that's probably why you sent that rampaging PIT BULL to find and bring me to this place. I do NOT suffer assaults on my person lightly, Detective, and she WILL be made to regret what she's done and if you intend to sanction her actions, so will YOU.

His face broke into a smile and then went blank again.

“I certainly hope that’s not a threat, Ms. Devereaux. You know, the thing about Detective Oldenburg: she’s brash, arrogant, pushy. But she’s one of MINE. And I protect what’s mine. And I don’t sanction her for going after the truth.”

“We all want the same things, Ms. Devereaux.”

I HIGHLY doubt THAT, Detective. DON'T PATRONIZE ME, Detective. I was not born yesterday. First that boorish WENCH tries to intimidate and SCARE me, now YOU want to make me feel like I can trust you? THAT was YOUR UNDERLING you sent after me. You and she are on one accord, you're merely presenting HER tired little game in another way.

“If you mean wanting to keep this city SAFE for people like us, then yes, we are of the same accord. You were s-loppy, Dominique, very sloppy. And that makes things difficult for the rest of us. Which means I have to intervene.”

Why don't you look around your city, Detective. There are ALOT MORE "missing children" NOW and YOU are looking in the WRONG DIRECTION if you think I am responsible for ANY of it.

“If you aren’t responsible then TELL ME what happened to the Reilly children. Let me calm the minds of what’s left of their family, of parents all over this city. But THIS-“

He paused.

“-behavior? It just makes you look guilty.”

It's unfortunate, a man of your stature and clearly possessing a strong mana, wasting your time and potential in a place like this...sullying yourself by associating with that common TRASH [Ashley]. Let this be a lesson to you. When you seek knowledge and favor from a QUEEN, do NOT send a PAWN to do a KING'S work.

He replaced the cap on a pen that was on the table and put it into his jacket pocket.

“The only queen I want favor from – MS. DEVEREAUX - lives in Windsor Castle.”

He stood up.

I can't help you.

He stared at her thoughtfully for a long moment. Then he gathered up all the photographs from the table and shuffled them back into the folder.

“Then you are free to go.”

He said matter-of-factly, heading for the door. With his hand on the doorknob, he turned back.

“I guess we don’t want the same things. If more children die because you wouldn’t cooperate, believe me, you will get more than a guilty conscience out of it. And that's a promise.”

He walked out and shut the door behind him.

 

[MorningStar]

19th Precinct

Not wanting to be noticed by any member of the Six who might choose to show up, Delilah waited twenty minutes after Dominique’s arrival at the precinct before entering herself. She spoke to the desk sergeant, an older woman who remembered her from her time on the force. She let her know that Chief Steele was indeed there but was assisting in an interrogation of a high-profile person of interest, and had her escorted to an office where she could wait.

She hadn’t been in a police station since well before they had been outed by Bishop, and the familiar sites (and smells) of the precinct were oddly comforting to her. How different things would be now if she had stayed. But the fact was, she hadn’t, but she had kept in touch with John Steele in the time since and if anyone HE was the one to see about Dominique’s arrest.

Delilah wasn’t sure why she CARED – she surely wouldn’t have in the past. The truce didn’t extend to the NYPD so she could just see Dominique carted off to jail and say, “Good riddance.” But police involvement with the Purifiers would probably just get some of them hurt, and regardless of who was taking them out, the last thing the world needed was more Purifiers running around. Plus this was all extra nonsense that they didn’t need while they were trying to keep Cameron safe.

But if it wasn’t for Cameron…

She stood up as John Steele barreled into the room.

 

[Steel]

Precinct 19 - Outside Interrogation Room B

Ashley was waiting outside the interrogation room, pacing, nearly biting her nails in anticipation.

“Process Ms. Devereaux’s exit paperwork.”

Ashley: But she’s guilty!

“Of course she’s guilty. I’m not stupid. But we can’t charge her without outing her. And that’s what we’re trying to avoid here.”

He put a strong hand on her shoulder.

“Trust me – we’re not going to get any more out of her unless she wants us to. She talked about other kids, so let’s look at other missing person cases. Start working the other angles. I want those kids found, and I was these jokers stopped. I’m tired of seeing scumbags painted as victims on the news.”

A uniform informed him that he had a visitor, and stood by to show him to her.

“Finish this.”

He stepped into the office where Delilah waited. He smiled wide.

“And my day just got brighter. Delilah – I didn’t expect to see you here today.”

He gave her a bear hug hello, and then motioned to a chair.

“Please, have a seat.”

He settled in himself, folding his hands in front of him on the desk.

“So, what’s up?”

 

[Firebird]

From the field, to Alycia's office



Cameron's face. His hand gripped by BOTH of her's. His eyes locked with her's as she tried DESPERATELY to PULL HIM AWAY from the clutches of the Nimrod! She was in the air, using all her strength but it wasn't meant to be. She wouldn't see him enter the vortex, for she'd been blasted out of the air and fell to the ground, unconscious.

Minutes could have been HOURS as far as she was concerned, but soon, she began to stir. An oxygen mask was on her face and the cool, soothing air in the infirmary was all around her. She felt the touch of Vivica and soon, sounds began to become clear voices.

Her apple green eyes fluttered and finally opened as she squeezed Vivica's hand.

"ohhhh...."

She was still a bit groggy.

"Cameron..."

"I lost him..."

She said quietly as eyes watered a bit. Everyone from her group was in this place, where ever THIS was. Alycia was laying nearby, also unconscious but looking to be physically in tact. She also heard and saw Silver Swan, SIMON!?, Zach, and Ava. Sharon's group looked utterly devastated, which immediately struck Blaze as a bad sign. She didn't yet know what had happened to them, only that until HER group had been attacked, they were trying to GET to the others.

"Vivica..."

She began to sit up a bit, frowning and shutting her eyes tightly

"Ohhh gawd...what hit me!? "

Her voice was rather scratchy

"Okay. That was rough, but we need to bounce back. Cameron and Cass are depending on it. I've been tracking the manufacturer of the nano bot. Once we've all been patched up, I'll bring you all up to speed. It's probably a good idea to rehydrate and eat while we CAN, we'll need the calories. I'll have Alycia's assistant make arrangements. How does Chinese food sound?"

Haleigh's voice and words helped Blaze's mind become more focused as she began to recover her wits. It sounded like Haleigh MIGHT have a clue where Cameron and Cass were. If so, then they could get there and get them back...and KILL ANYONE who got in their way!

Blaze WAS craving water, which was a strange feeling for her. Normally she'd be asking for ALCOHOL, but right now...she wanted WATER, and LOTS of it.

"Haleigh...Where are we now?

Blaze had not yet been to Alycia's new offices until just now.

"Is Alycia going to be alright?"

She looked over at Simon, Sharon, Ava and Zach. and she was WORRIED. What happened to THEM? What hadn't the rest of them been told yet?

 

[Isis]

He stared at her thoughtfully for a long moment. Then he gathered up all the photographs from the table and shuffled them back into the folder.

“Then you are free to go.”

He said matter-of-factly, heading for the door. With his hand on the doorknob, he turned back.

:: Dominique looked at him as he turned back, while she was putting her black wrap back on.::

“I guess we don’t want the same things. If more children die because you wouldn’t cooperate, believe me, you will get more than a guilty conscience out of it. And that's a promise.”

He walked out and shut the door behind him.

Whatever has ALREADY HAPPENED is on YOUR head, Detective. You and that interfering TROLL, Detective Oldenburg.

:: she PUSHES past him and exits. Turning her nose up at any officers that happen to see her::

:: The Hellfire Legal Team is ALREADY there, along with body guards and one of Dominique's personal assistants::

That woman....[Ashley] should be kept on a short leash, before she gets RAN OVER.

:: the 'higher ups' were already scrambling around. The Police Commissioner phoned the Chief of the Department and was VERY ANGRY, demanding to know just WHO was responsible for Dominique Deveraux being brought in. The Chief of the Department informed the commissioner about Ashley Oldenburg and her commanding officer, John Steele.::

:: The Chief of the Department was now DEMANDING John Steele to get in his office at once! And then, the Chief of Detectives got more than an earful, advising him that Dominique's legal time was about to turn the department upside down and BURY it. [ What was not immediately known was the Chief of the Department was a MEMBER of the Hellfire Club and that he ALSO enjoyed "perks" courtesy of Senator William Stryker, who was now MISSING [actually DEAD] ]. Steele was yelled at and threatened with disciplinary action if he didn't back off of Dominique Deveraux. Their encountered NEVER HAPPENED as far as the department was concerned and Ashley? She WAS to be disciplined and it would go on her record.::

:: Dominique herself made eye contact with Ashley as she stood in a waiting area while the LEGAL TEAM was HAMMERING the Police Chief. Her body guards flanked her and her personal assistant stood to her right::

You'll PAY for what you did in there, you repulsive creature. I PROMISE YOU THAT. But the cries of the WEAK & INNOCENT require my attention FIRST.

 

[Orion]

The sound of sirens was the last thing he wanted to hear right now..... it meant they would have no time to recover. They had to MOVE, they had to get away from the scene. Zach looked around for an egress route and wished he hadn't. There were bodies everywhere. He coughed looking back down at Sharon, who was still unconscious.

"Sharon...... you've got to wake up Sharon.... please.... I can't carry you..... we've gotta GO and I can't carry you....."

She jolted awake and scooped him up in her arms. He didn't even have the energy to protest being carried. He just wanted to sleep. Every breath felt like he was inhaling shards of glass, his head was throbbing, he could barely move his arm and he was sure he'd tweaked his ankle trying to dodge that second explosion and get to Sharon.

Haleigh demanded a sitrep. He couldn't respond. There were no words that could accurately describe their current status. Sharon replied with a terse, detached summary. Haleigh gave a rendezvous location and off they went.

In the infirmary, Sharon sat Zach on a bed. He covered his face with his right hand, rubbing his eyes. He wasn't sure if they burned from the smoke and gas vapor, or if it was because he wanted to break down and sob for EVERYTHING he'd just experienced. He couldn't get the sight and sound of those kids dying out of his head.

Medical staff started to attend him, wiping the soot from his face, asking him where he was hurt. They removed his boot and unzipped the lower leg of his suit to reveal a badly swollen ankle. He peeled off the upper body portion of his suit so they could also work on his arm. He almost passed out when he saw it..... the bone was slightly sticking through the skin of his forearm.

He forgot it all when he saw Sharon falter, and tried to get up, only to be stopped by the staff. Vivica went to her instead, offering her an oxygen mask and encouraging her to sit down. Zach glared at Ava her internal reaction was akin to a scoff.

Haleigh swooped in with little regard for the hell they'd just experienced, and started talking about food. The weight of the emotion he'd absorbed at the bomb site threatened to crush him. Everybody has a breaking point, and this was Zach's.

"How does Chinese sound? It sounds like we just watched 40 kids get burned alive, and I don't really have much of an appetite right NOW! (Turning back to Ava) and YOU..... just what the hell were you thinking?! Your RECKLESSNESS almost KILLED Sharon! We were gonna SAVE those survivors!"

 

[Longshot]

:: The second that Sharon stopped speaking, Vivica looked up and watch the woman who was very obviously in pain. Taking a moment, Vivica visually analyzed her symptoms, before searching through the drawers, quickly finding a can with an inhaler attachment. She looked at Simon who just seemed...so lost. She spoke to him. ::

"Simon...she's okay. You're okay...as okay as you can be. Right now, I just need you to sit..the others will be here soon."

She walked over to Sharon and fixed the inhaler attachment over her nose and unscrewed the compressor on the can. ::

< Simon nodded in agreement. Thankfully the tranquility of the room and the humming of machines coupled with just hearing voices that were alive and well were starting to bring Simon back into reality. He was able to grab a hold of himself and at least for the moment start to feel like he was in control of what he was saying and doing. >

< As Sharon and Vivica spoke soon Haleigh and the rest of the group was in the Infirmary. Haleigh seemed to be in a whirlwind. She was obviously distraught but she was trying to rally the troops and keep them distracted. There would be no distracting Simon from what he had just experienced. >

Haleigh: "Okay. That was rough, but we need to bounce back. Cameron and Cass are depending on it. I've been tracking the manufacturer of the nano bot. Once we've all been patched up, I'll bring you all up to speed. It's probably a good idea to rehydrate and eat while we CAN, we'll need the calories. I'll have Alycia's assistant make arrangements. How does Chinese food sound?"

< Food. Simon couldn't fathom figuring out how to eat at the moment but he knew that Haleigh was most likely right. They needed some kind of sustenance...though Simon wasn't sure how much longer he could hang around. Everything in his body was telling him to run and never look back. Ava was really the only person keeping him there at the moment. >

< Soon Blaze was stirring. She was asking a lot of questions. >

Blaze: "Haleigh...where are we now?"

"We..are at Charope Inc...underground. Infirmary..."

< He answered for Haleigh, in an attempt to feel somewhat useful. He could not answer her question about Alycia...because he honestly didn't know. >

< Zach began to stir a little more as the medical team began to attend to him. And then he erupted. >

Zach: "How does Chinese sound? It sounds like we just watched 40 kids get burned alive, and I don't really have much of an appetite right NOW! (Turning back to Ava) and YOU..... just what the hell were you thinking?! Your RECKLESSNESS almost KILLED Sharon! We were gonna SAVE those survivors!"

< And then Simon came unglued. He stood from his spot. >

"Hey DICKHEAD! Why don't you revisit that first part of your statement...the part about us WATCHING 40 KIDS burn to DEATH...re-think your goddamn outburst and get the FUCK off of Ava's back!!"

< He SLAMMED his fist down next to him on the medical bed in anger. >

 

[MorningStar]

Precinct 19

So, what’s up?

Delilah got right to the point.

“I’m here about Dominique Devereaux.”

John: “Oh? What about her.”

He looked interested.

“You need to release her.”

He laughed.

John: “She is a person of interest in the murder of three Purifiers, and possibly two children.”

Delilah rolled her eyes.

“You know as well as I do she didn’t kill those children. The Purifiers did.”

John: “Well, then, she should cooperate and tell us that.”

She scoffed.

“Come on, John – she’s never going to give you that kind of information.”

John: “What’s it to you?”

Delilah looked down and away.

“She’s an ally of sorts to the Six, and I can tell you your people are wasting your time on her.”

John: “I’ve got three bodies and two more missing – if your ‘ally’ keeps leaving bodies around, this city will be in a full-scale panic. She’s got to stop this.”

“Why would she stop?”

John: “Delilah, she killed three people. She’s probably going to kill again.”

“Good!”

John: “Pardon?”

She threw up her hands.

“Good for her! They deserved to die and we should ALL be out hunting these dirtbags!”

He was looking at her as if she had six heads.

John: “You can’t be serious. This isn’t like you…”

“They want us all dead! You, me, all mutants. Our CHILDREN. Just for an accident of birth.”

John: “I know you turned down the opportunity to work with us, but you were always the first person to agree with what X-Unit was doing. Keep us from acting above the law, keeping our existence secret from other humans. Keeping us all safe. You know what will happen if people start thinking there is a mutant serial killer out there attacking humans.”

“YOU weren’t outed the last time. You got to stay in your home, in your job. You weren’t attacked by Sentinels and banished to an island in the Adriatic by a bunch of mutant-haters, to live with a group of people who also hated your guts and blamed you for ruining their lives.”

John: “That’s not fair.”

She crossed her arms.

“Well it’s the truth.”

They both just stared at each other. There was a knock at the door. A plainclothes officer stuck his head in the door.

Officer: “Uh, sorry, John – Chief Pierce is here and he wants to see you. Now.”

John: “What for?”

The officer just shrugged. A tall, nearly white-blonde woman with a badge clipped to her belt pushed past the plainclothes to also stick HER head in the doorway.

Ashley: “John! That BITCH is tattling on me.”

He motioned for both of them to calm down and step back before turning back towards her.

John: “I’m sorry, I’ve got to go see what he wants. Wait here – we need to talk about this more.”

“I can’t stay.”

She stood up and collected her purse and coat.

“Drop this angle, John. Let MY team take care of this. We’ll do it the RIGHT way.”

She walked out. He called after her.

John: “Delilah…”

Delilah didn’t turn around. She had already been away from the Parthenon long enough. If John didn’t heed her warning, he would just have to accept the consequences. But she certainly wasn’t going to just sit back and watch mutants – mutant children – be killed.

She stepped out the doors of the precinct and into the cold air.

 

[Firebird]

"We..are at Charope Inc...underground. Infirmary..."

< He answered for Haleigh, in an attempt to feel somewhat useful. He could not answer her question about Alycia...because he honestly didn't know. >

"Could I have a big glass of water please?"

Blaze asked a medical assistant. Soon she was handed one and began to drink it with urgency.


Blaze looks upon Simon and nods with understanding. He looked a mere SHADOW of the man she saw at her party a few months ago. What HAPPENED to him...to ALL of them in Sharon's group!? Blaze had been unconscious when the news first came forward and so she had no idea just how HORRIBLE it was.

But she'd get MORE than a clue when Zach, who was in a pretty bad way, began to speak. He looked banged up pretty badly but he was always so...calm and collected. He was good for Haleigh, and he had come to be more than a mere "bystander" in the Six's world as well.

Blaze sat full up

"How does Chinese sound? It sounds like we just watched 40 kids get burned alive, and I don't really have much of an appetite right NOW! (Turning back to Ava) and YOU..... just what the hell were you thinking?! Your RECKLESSNESS almost KILLED Sharon! We were gonna SAVE those survivors!"

Blaze's apple green eyes widen with utter shock

"oh god...!?"

she exclaimed in a hushed town as she covered her mouth with her hand.

"The Purifiers!...they MURDERED 40 children!?"

This was not happening. She didn't just hear that. It had to be a DREAM...a NIGHTMARE!

But Zach went on to say that Persephone had acted recklessly and had nearly KILLED Silver Swan! Was THAT why Sharon was struggling right now?

Blaze looked over at Sharon, who had taken a seat at Vivica's urging, and was holding the oxygen mask to her face. This woman was one of the most physically powerful and INVULNERABLE among them all and for HER to look so pale, so DAZED and uncertain...that was a significant sign of how BADLY this had all went for them.

Blaze then looked at Ava, who was in a truly dark, grim, altered state. She couldn't believe that Ava had "CAUSED" MORE children to die! Zach was just ANGRY...no....it was much more than that...they were ALL suffering from severe psychological trauma.

And then Simon came unglued. He stood from his spot. >

"Hey DICKHEAD! Why don't you revisit that first part of your statement...the part about us WATCHING 40 KIDS burn to DEATH...re-think your goddamn outburst and get the **** off of Ava's back!!"

< He SLAMMED his fist down next to him on the medical bed in anger. >

Blaze's apple green eyes shot back over to Simon. He was MORE than angry...he was enraged! He fiercely defended Ava from Zach's damning account of what happened. This wasn't because he and Ava were SEEING each other. He not only had been present for the disaster, he'd been BURNED by it, in more ways than one.

EARLIER, Firebird thought it would be just a simple matter of hunting down a small group of religious freaks, beating their brains out and getting Cass and Cameron back. But even as events unfolded and Harbinger's prophecies began to come true, Blaze STILL felt like they could just "GET THEM" and put a stop to it. It wasn't going to be that easy. And now...with what was just revealed, it was clear that NOTHING would EVER be the same again!

Her eyes shifted between Zach and Simon, then Sharon, who seemed almost a STATUE at the moment, then Ava...who looked such a way not seen since the aftermath of SET!

She could smell the smoke, the remnants of DEATH; she could see their wounds & the soot on their faces & clotheswhich were collectively FAR worse than anything HER group had sustained; and all of that, coupled with what she was hearing was starting to make her sick and dizzy with utter disbelief. It was one thing to be able to detach when you were in the field and chasing an enemy or even trying to rescue someone. She recalled her experiences with Jill in Umbrella before Valiant. But even THEN, she'd not encountered something quite like this, until Mystech and the Government joined forces to nearly WIPE OUT her kind.

She bows her head, shutting her eyes and trying not to shed tears.

"The enemy is out THERE. Not in here..."


This was more than they could handle or even ATTEMPT to "get past". Cameron was gone. Cass was gone. Sally was hurt. Dominique was being interrogated by the police. Alison had fallen before the purifiers and now MORE of her friends were badly hurt and....worst of all, 40 children were DEAD! No matter how it happened...this was TOO MUCH!


"I think...we need to get Shadow Weaver here..."

She said quietly.

She was AFRAID of what might happen during the emotional fall out, and she'd seen things go from bad to complete SHIT STORM in her own timeline among her team/family and again more recently during the Blue Moon. They would NOT survive this, much less be able to save their loved ones, if they tore each other apart now!

"Haleigh, we can't go on...not until we address this. Here and now. There's TOO MUCH to just...keep going! We wont survive like this...not after what's happened over the past 48 hours!"

 

[Black Widow]

Simon answered Blaze's question so Haleigh didn't have to. She was about to reassure blaze that Alycia would be fine when Zach blew up at her. Haleigh was stunned by his response, and realized she had not properly read the room. She was trying to marshal the troops, she was trying to be the leader they NEEDED, but she hadn't conveyed sensitivity to the other group's plight. Zach laid into Ava, which provokes a chain response from Simon.

Simon: Hey DICKHEAD! Why don't you revisit that first part of your statement...the part about us WATCHING 40 KIDS burn to DEATH...re-think your goddamn outburst and get the **** off of Ava's back!!

Zach: NOBODY asked for a sidekick's opinion, so keep it to yourself lover boy!

They were going to rip each other apart if it kept going like this. Ava stormed out of the infirmary, clearly struggling.

Blaze: The enemy is out THERE. Not in here...

Blaze was RIGHT, but she was quiet about it. Haleigh raised her voice.

"That's quite ENOUGH. We have to work TOGETHER, or the purifiers WILL succeed. Whatever happened today, whatever mistakes were made, we can't go backwards. We can ONLY go forward. I'm not going to belittle what you all went through, I know that was some tough SHIIT. But every second that passes means more torture for CJ, and now Cameron too. If we want them to live we need to lock it down and focus on the task at hand. (She approached Zach) Ava apparently made a mistake, but Sharon is FINE. This little tantrum of yours is not helping. I sent Ava to YOU for help! Now man up and hobble out there and APOLOGIZE, because she needs your support, not your judgement."

Zach stared back at her in embittered silence. She wouldn't hold it against him, he was feeling everything tenfold. Outbursts happened in the heat of the moment, she knew that better than anything. She held his eye contact calmly, hoping he would get over it quickly.

Blaze: Haleigh, we can't go on...not until we address this. Here and now. There's TOO MUCH to just...keep going! We wont survive like this...not after what's happened over the past 48 hours!

"We don't have time to lick our wounds or talk about our feelings. The purifiers aren't going to take a break, their plan is working, they're going full steam ahead. (Turning back to Zach) Save your outrage for the purifiers, pull yourselves together, or those kids will have died for NOTHING."

He continued to seethe at her, and she pursed her lips before deciding he needed a kick in the pants.

"I must not have made myself clear, Orion. Check your attitude and go after my sister. Calm her down and bring her back. We need her-- and YOU to be ready for the next phase. Do it now, that IS an order."

He formed a red energy sphere the size of a basketball and obliterated some pretty expensive medical equipment that wasn't in use.

Haleigh landed a hand on his shoulder and shook him once.

"You will be decommissioned if you can't perform."

Zach shrugged her hand off, then slid his newly healed arm back into the upper portion of his suit, zipping it back up and sliding off the med bed.

Zach (coldly): Wilco, DIRECTOR. I was just blowing off steam, per your instruction.

He left the room, and Haleigh looked around. There were some awkward glances in her direction.

(With an exasperated huff) "Men. Right?"

 

[Tachyon]

Why is this bird always trying her powers out on him? Does she get off on the power? After a moment, she releases him from what he perceives to be a temporal field. Next time he will be ready for it.

This...is my brother's hotel.

It's not smart for us to stand in the hall way to have this conversation.

Follow me.

:: she leads him to an elevator, they shoot UP to a private conference room that she can access with her key card. Once inside, a rushing, chiming sound is heard as the doors close::

:: She seats herself and gestures for him to do the same::

Not the first time a pretty woman had led him around, so he followed. It was obvious that she was struggling right now. At her gesture, he seated himself, sitting upright as he listened to her.

I had your little note. So i know you're name is Xavier, I also know you're a mutant, a speedster at that.

Still, I have no reason to trust you and I think you realize now that I am NOT going to be bowled over by you, no matter HOW fast you are.

:: she said coldly::


With that being said...my brother...my team mate Ruby...my FRIENDS...they're all in MORTAL danger. They're being targeted by a group of anti-mutant, religious zealots called The Purifiers. Have you heard of them? They've been making a name for themselves under the guise of a ministry/community outreach. I suspect THAT is how they swell their ranks with members.

They have attacked my friends on several occassions now and have targeted other mutants around the city.

They have a device, a powerful piece of technology that is giving them an edge, but it's something that they BARELY know how to use and if it gets out of their control, we'll ALL have a much BIGGER problem.

:: She studies Xavier. SO FAR what she "SEES" about him is that he's something of a free spirit. Not given over to the typical trappings that most flatscans or even other mutants allow to govern their lives. He does not pose any clear DANGER to Harbinger, but that still does not give HER any reason to TRUST him, still, she "SEES" the advantage of including him in her renewed effort now::

I need to get back in that church, RESCUE Ruby and my Brother and take posession of that device BEFORE it comes FULLY online and gets out of THEIR control.

You expressed CONCERN about "others being hurt". If you don't want to see that happen, then you should HELP me.

Xavier leaned back and shook his head.

Ma'am...are you daft?

Alison was a bit stunned at the sudden response...he continued.

I have only been trying to help since I saw those guys fire on you. You are not overly impressed by me or something or other. I get it. You want me to know that you are not easily blown away. Fair enough, love. But dammit, if your people are in the shit as much as you say, let's move. That is what I do best after all, and it is apparent that whoever is fucking with you has not accounted for me. So, lead on. And do it quickly for Chrissake. And give me a goddamn name to call you. And the next time you try that freeze shit on me, I am gonna strip you, take pictures, post them on www.nakedsorceress.com and set it as the home page of every computer in your brother's hotel before your hand moves to do it. Are we clear?

Xavier was already standing...Alison did not even see him do it. He offered her his hand...

 

[Rampage]

All of them gone. Their screams reverberated in his mind, in his psyche. Part of him was trying to pull it together, but primarily he was just killing everything. The only thing that cause him finally to pause was seeing the portal, and that hand...

A NIMROD?!

And then the sonics hit him, cracking the equilibrium he had cobbled together. When he was able to stand again, Cameron was gone and they were talking about regrouping. He picked up Alycia and allowed himself to be led. In his mind he was slipping....slowly, slowly slipping.


They arrived and he placed Alycia on the bed as asked, then stood silent sentry over her as the medics approached. He did not react or care when people started pointing fingers, such was chaos. He had not moved, no one had noticed.

Finally, a medic started to determine his vitals when he finally spoke.

DO NOT TOUCH ME IF YOU WANT TO LIVE.

The medic recoiled from him and the group would notice that he sounded...seemed different. The members of the Six would definitely recognize it. He was trying to pull it together, but he was slipping...slipping.